by fits and starts

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Naomi Osaka’s comeback season has been pocked by fits and starts as she reacquaints herself with her athleticism and competitive fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2024

Past efforts to tighten security cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo have progressed by fits and starts.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

For all the divisions we have faced in our history and all the serious trauma of recent years, the U.S. has endured to build, by fits and starts, a more perfect union.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2023

“My poetry imitates or reproduces the way knowledge or awareness comes to me, which is by fits and starts and by indirection. I don’t think poetry arranged in neat patterns would reflect that situation.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 3, 2017

So by fits and starts, she followed Yuko into Islam.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers